COLUMBIA, S.C. — As the deadline to apply for disaster assistance approaches, the SC Bar reminds Hurricane Florence survivors that they can request free legal help via the disaster legal services hotline. The last day to register with FEMA is Dec. 5.

The legal service hotline, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays, is available to individuals in Chesterfield, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Horry, Marion and Marlboro counties. To request assistance, call 1-877-797-2227 ext. 120.

Individuals who qualify will be matched with South Carolina lawyers who have volunteered to provide free legal assistance. Hurricane victims may also request assistance online by e-mailing disasterinfo@scbar.org.

Volunteer attorneys are available to help with FEMA application preparation and FEMA denial appeals. Other disaster-related questions the volunteers can assist with may include landlord-tenant law, construction law and insurance law.

The hotline is a partnership between the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, the SC Bar, the SC Bar Young Lawyers Division and South Carolina Legal Services.

The South Carolina Bar, which has a membership of more than 16,000 lawyers, is dedicated to advancing justice, professionalism and understanding of the law.